Every artist takes a different path to success but each path is woven with a common thread: rarely is one’s first attempt at their chosen craft greeted with ovation. The sculptor makes a pinch pot first, the novelist writes a book about himself, and the rocker learns his first major scale. The world of film acting in is no different.

Erie native and McDowell Graduate Emily Brooks comes from a theater background, acting in school plays until that thread wove its way into her true calling, her true tapestry: film acting. Maybe you’ve seen her cast a spell as the White Witch in “Narnia” at the Erie Playhouse [13 W. 10th St.] or as the charming Reon Sweeney chasing Billy Crocker in “Anything Goes” at Mercyhurst [501 E. 38th St.], but now you can see her somewhere else: the big screen.

Under tight wraps just like the conclave, “The Appearing’s” release date is still secret. The film – based on true

I literally left my body and everything was so real, it was like, really happening to me. This was the first time I had – 100 percent – felt like I was not acting at all… It was really scary, and really real.

events – revolves around a young women’s exorcism, her secret past, and the battle with the demons lurking inside her. Emily Brooks promises it’ll be out this year; and to make up for it, she dishes about her humble roots in acting, a moment of possession, and most importantly, [slight spoiler alert] stabbing Patrick Swayze’s brother.

Matt Flowers: What sparked your interest in taking on an acting career?

Emily Brooks: I started singing at church when I was a little girl… The next thing I know I’m at the Erie Playhouse auditioning for “Rumpelstiltskin.”

MF: In how many plays have you acted?

EB: Oh my gosh, a lot. [Laughs] I’d say 40-plus.

MF: How many of those were back in Erie?

EB: The majority of them were in Erie… Then I moved on to [Indiana University of Pennsylvania] and did shows there… [But] I’m done with theater actually… I realized I just wanted to do film acting… So my parents mustered up some money so I could take this workshop [at the New York Film Academy].

MF: After your study in NYC, did you still have to do some research for your part in “The Appearing?”

EB: Oh yes, I got so into this. I watched every single exorcism movie that was on Netflix and then some. I researched real exorcisms that have happened throughout time, I listened to Latin over and over again… I wanted this role so bad, and I [only] had three days to read the script, figure out my character, and get the Latin down… I consumed myself with this stuff.

MF: Is that your actual voice in the Trailer for “The Appearing.”

EB: That is really me.

MF: How is “The Appearing” different from other exorcism movies?

EB: I start out really nice, like Miss Betty homemaker, but then as the movie goes on, I’m looking messed up. [In] the newer exorcism movies [the possessed] look messed up from the beginning… I think that’s one of the biggest differences – it’s more shocking and more suspenseful as well. You’re just waiting for it, waiting for it, waiting for it, and it just drags you along, and then BAM! it happens.

MF: Are you a big horror movie buff?

EB: Totally, I’m such a sicko. My mom always tells me that because I have always loved horror movies since I was a little kid. I don’t know, I like to be scared… It’s interesting to me.

MF: What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from another actor, actress, or director?

EB: [During the last take of “The Appearing] I literally left my body and everything was so real, it was like, really happening to me. This was the first time I had – 100 percent – felt like I was not acting at all… It was really scary, and really real. Don Swayze [Patrick Swayze’s brother] says to me afterwards, “That’s an actor moment.” I looked at him and I was like, “Okay, Don.” He’s like, “No, you should go and write about that and you should go and buy yourself a cupcake or something.” [Laughs] He says, “You’ve just experienced a moment you’ll never go back from.”

MF: Who does Don Swayze play in the movie?

EB: Sheriff Hendricks… We have this retractable knife, and there is this part where I use it on him – almost – ahh, I’ll leave that open to interpretation, but I accidently stabbed Don Swayze because the retractable knife stopped retracting and it became a real knife! [Laughs]

MF: Tell me a little bit about the director, Daric Gates.

EB: This is like his first big film he directed… He does a lot of work; anything from sound to [film] editing… He worked crew on a bunch of big films [“Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Friday Night Lights,” “A Lot Like Love”].

MF: How many movies have you acted in?

EB: I just got cast in my second big film since “The Appearing.” It’s filming for seven weeks, and it’s actually filming in Pittsburgh… It’s a bigger budget than “The Appearing” and it’s also going to be in 3D… Unfortunately, I can’t even talk about the title right now.

MF: Have you ever worked with an actor or actress that just couldn’t act worth a damn?

EB: Yeah. A lot. [Laughs]

MF: What do you do in that situation?

EB: Just believe in what’s happening as much as you possibly can… [But] a lot of it also has to do with direction. If an actor is doing poorly and cast in that roll, I’d blame it on the direction. I think every actor that does get a part is talented in some way, and it’s up to the director to bring that out of them, and sometimes directors don’t want to do the work.

MF: What is your biggest achievement?

EB: The immediate thing that popped in my head was being able to rise above negativity and the people who said I couldn’t do this, and do it… I think it’s getting here [to L.A.].

Matthew Flowers can be contacted at mFlowers@ErieReader.com, and you can follow him on Twitter @MFlowersER.

Whether it’s exploiting personal anxieties or the current fears and uncertainties of the public, horror is sometimes the only genre to bring up points that we would dare not bring up in any other situation.